When you are think of a luxury yacht charter in Australia your mind instantly wanders to the natural beauty, sea life and wildlife of the Great Barrier Reef. However, as this nine day itinerary shows Sydney Harbour’s postcard stocks – the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge – are the tiniest fraction of its attractions. One of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world, its 197 miles of shoreline encompass 21 square miles of water and scenery that runs from cityscapes to quiet inlets on the Hawkesbury River. This Sydney Harbour itinerary, supplied by Toby Gitsham, former captain of Masteka 2, covers swimming in the wild, world-class golf and everything in between — plus a beach barbie, naturally. Day 1 Settle aboard at Jones Bay Wharf and motor under the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Farm Cove, a small bay opposite the Opera House, surrounded by Sydney’s Botanical Garden; lunch while taking in the spectacular view. In late afternoon take a cruise and watch the sunset from the best vantage point on the harbour, Athol Bay, where it’s possible to spend the night.

When you are think of a luxury yacht charter in Australia your mind instantly wanders to the natural beauty, sea life and wildlife of the Great Barrier Reef. However, as this nine day itinerary shows Sydney Harbour’s postcard stocks – the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge – are the tiniest fraction of its attractions. One of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world, its 197 miles of shoreline encompass 21 square miles of water and scenery that runs from cityscapes to quiet inlets on the Hawkesbury River.

This Sydney Harbour itinerary, supplied by Toby Gitsham, former captain of Masteka 2, covers swimming in the wild, world-class golf and everything in between — plus a beach barbie, naturally.

Day 1

Settle aboard at Jones Bay Wharf and motor under the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Farm Cove, a small bay opposite the Opera House, surrounded by Sydney’s Botanical Garden; lunch while taking in the spectacular view. In late afternoon take a cruise and watch the sunset from the best vantage point on the harbour, Athol Bay, where it’s possible to spend the night.

Alight in Sydney Harbour for Taronga Zoo, by Athol Bay, to see Australia’s diverse animal life. Cruise to Doyles Restaurant on the beach at Watsons Bay for a spectacular seafood lunch with views over the harbour and city. Continue to Sydney Seaplanes in Rose Bay and experience Sydney from the air. Spend the night anchored in Vaucluse Bay.

Alight in Sydney Harbour for Taronga Zoo, by Athol Bay, to see Australia’s diverse animal life. Cruise to Doyles Restaurant on the beach at Watsons Bay for a spectacular seafood lunch with views over the harbour and city. Continue to Sydney Seaplanes in Rose Bay and experience Sydney from the air. Spend the night anchored in Vaucluse Bay.

After breakfast, depart Sydney Harbour through Spit Bridge to Middle Harbour and anchor at Sugarloaf Bay, known for its beautiful secluded anchorages. Relax surrounded by nature, protected from the wind — paddleboard, kayak or enjoy good fishing holes. Sail around to the unspoilt Bantry Bay for the evening. A sign of this area's popularity it that Spit Marina is currently undergoing expansion to attract superyachts.

After breakfast, depart Sydney Harbour through Spit Bridge to Middle Harbour and anchor at Sugarloaf Bay, known for its beautiful secluded anchorages. Relax surrounded by nature, protected from the wind — paddleboard, kayak or enjoy good fishing holes. Sail around to the unspoilt Bantry Bay for the evening.

Day 4 - Hike around North Head Nature Reserve Hike around North Head Nature Reserve

Pass back through the Spit Bridge and anchor at Little Manly Cove. Enjoy a coffee in the laid-back beach town of Manly, then hike or mountain bike around the pristine bushland at North Head Nature Reserve. Manly is also a great place to try surfing, with good conditions year-round.

Pass back through the Spit Bridge and anchor at Little Manly Cove. Enjoy a coffee in the laid-back beach town of Manly, then hike or mountain bike around the pristine bushland at North Head Nature Reserve. Manly is also a great place to try surfing, with good conditions year-round.

In the morning, head out to sea through the Sydney Heads and motor north to Pittwater. You can enjoy a late lunch at Jonah’s, a restaurant set above the sweeps of golden sand at Whale Beach and Palm Beach; the latter is Sydney’s northern-most and finest beach. Spend the evening at the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Newport.

In the morning, head out to sea through the Sydney Heads and motor north to Pittwater. You can enjoy a late lunch at Jonah’s, a restaurant set above the sweeps of golden sand at Whale Beach and Palm Beach; the latter is Sydney’s northern-most and finest beach. Spend the evening at the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Newport.

Day 6 - Have a traditional Aussie barbecue Have a traditional Aussie barbecue

In the morning explore the many secluded bays and anchorages in Sydney’s Cowan Creek. There are plenty of great swimming spots, fishing holes and for the active a hike to the spectacular waterfall in America Bay. The crew can put on a traditional Aussie barbecue on a secluded beach in Cowan Creek. Spend the night at scenic Jerusalem Bay.

In the morning explore the many secluded bays and anchorages in Sydney’s Cowan Creek. There are plenty of great swimming spots, fishing holes and for the active a hike to the spectacular waterfall in America Bay. The crew can put on a traditional Aussie barbecue on a secluded beach in Cowan Creek. Spend the night at scenic Jerusalem Bay.

Venture up the Hawkesbury River, taking in the view and find a great little anchorage for lunch behind Dangar Island. In the afternoon, there are some excellent bays for swimming, waterskiing and paddleboarding. Surrounded by nature, it’s a great place to spend the evening.

Venture up the Hawkesbury River, taking in the view and find a great little anchorage for lunch behind Dangar Island. In the afternoon, there are some excellent bays for swimming, waterskiing and paddleboarding. Surrounded by nature, it’s a great place to spend the evening.

After breakfast, guests enjoy a swim before the two-hour run south back to Sydney Harbour. If the weather is good, cruise a little further south and visit Bondi Beach before heading back in through the Heads and anchoring in Rose Bay. Golfers can enjoy a game at the Royal Sydney Golf Course, which hosts the Australian Open.

After breakfast, guests enjoy a swim before the two-hour run south back to Sydney Harbour. If the weather is good, cruise a little further south and visit Bondi Beach before heading back in through the Heads and anchoring in Rose Bay. Golfers can enjoy a game at the Royal Sydney Golf Course, which hosts the Australian Open.

Take one final cruise in Sydney Harbour past the Opera House and under the Harbour Bridge on the way to Jones Bay Wharf, you can then depart at your convenience. Alternatively extend your trip and take a flight north to Queensland and visit Hamilton Island, where sailing nuts and superyachts co-exist beautifully.

Take one final cruise in Sydney Harbour past the Opera House and under the Harbour Bridge on the way to Jones Bay Wharf, you can then depart at your convenience.

9 days on a superyacht around Sydney Harbour

Meet your yacht

When you are think of a luxury yacht charter in Australia your mind instantly wanders to the natural beauty, sea life and wildlife of the Great Barrier Reef. However, as this nine day itinerary shows Sydney Harbour’s postcard stocks – the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge – are the tiniest fraction of its attractions. One of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world, its 197 miles of shoreline encompass 21 square miles of water and scenery that runs from cityscapes to quiet inlets on the Hawkesbury River.

This Sydney Harbour itinerary, supplied by Toby Gitsham, former captain of Masteka 2, covers swimming in the wild, world-class golf and everything in between — plus a beach barbie, naturally.

Day 1

Settle aboard at Jones Bay Wharf and motor under the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Farm Cove, a small bay opposite the Opera House, surrounded by Sydney’s Botanical Garden; lunch while taking in the spectacular view. In late afternoon take a cruise and watch the sunset from the best vantage point on the harbour, Athol Bay, where it’s possible to spend the night.